The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-17
Indignation Aroused by the 0rderAmong
Old Soldiers in Indianapolis.
Vigorous Protests from Commander Chase and
Grand Army Veterans Against Surrender
of the Flags Sent to the Governor.
REBELLION TROPHIES.

speCbiuE tuo TeluEu W Tie sdIiouS SbdtoS VI udhS
captured during the late war:
EXECUTIVE MANSION. WASHINGTON, Juno I6.
ITO the Secretary of War:
II have to-day considered with more care than
when the subject was orally presented me, the
&C ion of your Department. directing letters to
be addressed to the Governors of all the States.
offering to return if desired to the loyal States
the Union flags captured in the war Of the re-
bellion by the confederate forces, aud afterwards
recovered by government troops: and to the con-
federate States the flags captured by the Union
forces, all Of which, for many years, have oeen
packed in boxes and stored in the cellar and attic
of the War Department
II am of the opinion that the return of these
flags in the manner thus contemplated is not
authorized by existing laws justified an
executive act. / request therefore, that no
further steps be taken in the matter except to
examine and inventory these flags. and adopt
proper measures for their preservation. Any
direction to the final disposition of them
should originate with Congress.
''Yours truly, GROVER CLEVELAND"
An intimate friend of the executive said, this
evening, that the President sanctioned the re-
turn of the flags without giving the subject
serious consideration, aud upon representations
that the matter was not in any way governed by
law. The Presidents understanding was that
the flags had been. from time to time,
returned when applied for, and that no
new or important question was involved. Imme-
diately upon examining the law however, and
81, thara Lave ,har 1f
federate flags involved, and that of them
had before been returned. the President
Immediately decided that his approval of the
plan had been 'incon nsiderate and mistaken
Extent and Character of the Protest.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WAsHINGToN June 16.-The battle flags
captured by Union forces from men on tile
other side, who used to be called rebels before
the Democratic Renaissance, are not to be
turned to the Southern States. after all
Never since the surrender of Appomattox has
incident occurred that has caused much
feeling among old soldiers as the report that
the President had authorized the return of these
embiems Not only in States where the soldier
element is strongest, but in every section of the
country the feeling engendered by this unwse
and unpatriotic order is of the most intense
character Old soldiers here have been fairly
flooded with kilograms to-day protesting
against the surrender Of the flags Here is 4
sample telegram received from a Western
town:
"Can 1t be that there are not enough men in
Washington who fought for the Union to pre-
vent the removal of those flags from Washing
toni Ii not. we have enough here to burn every
one of them before a single scrap Of the bunting
is carried away"
One man who lives in Georgetown had two
brothers shot down while defending the colors
of their regiment The colors were captured By
rebels, and were subsequently retaken by his
company. They also took the flags of rebel
regiment and these flags among the number
which it was intended to return to the poor fell
lows with whom Grover Cleveland sympathizes
SO much. The news of the intention of the au-
thorites SO worked upon the feelings of a
who had given up two brothers in defense of the
stars and stripes, that he completely pros
trated; be had to be carried honle in cab, and
is reported to be in critical condition tonight
No one can imagine what induced the Secre-
~ of War to propose such asinine move to
the President General Drum admits that he
has not had single request from Southern
company Southern State for the return OF
flags. He must have been aware, too that the
proposition in direct violation of law, as an
act of 1914 sets forth very clearly that
all captured flags shall be displayed
at the seat of government, and that
they shall be in custody of the
authorities He must have been aware that
they could only be Withdrawn by act of Congress.
To-day General Drum was asked by your corre
spondent for permission to look at the books in
which the histories of the captured flags are
kept. He declined to allow any one to them,
pleading excuse that the clerks were busy
preparing the lists of those which were to have
been returned. He said that the flags would
certainly be returned. in spite of the protests
which had been raised against such action, and
intimated that he had sympathy with the
feeling OF the who protest against their
return.
Col Dan Lamont, private secretary to the
President. attempted to shift rhe responsibility
for the order from the shoulders of the Presi
dent to those OF the Adjutant- general of the
army. Daniel said that the President never
signed the order, and he doubted if his chief
aware of the import of the matter. He was
probably correct in this, order has been
signed; but inasmuch as the President gave a
verbal assent to the proposition TO write to the
Governors of Southern States, he alone should
bear the odium which will attach to the action.
His afterthought will not serve to wipe ont the
stigma
General Boynton, acting for the Governor of
Ohio. had begun legal proceedings. and had